&#x2018;We cannot comment on individual cases.&#x201d; This is the statement the public have come to expect every time a searching question is asked of our authorities about something remotely controversial.

Today it is the response of the police and probation service after the Daily Post revealed that a convicted child sex offender, released early from jail, is living just yards from a primary school.

Robert Long is also being allowed to live near his victims.

The fact that the police and probation service will not explain why is an insult to the community.

People living in Rhyl will have one question on their lips which deserves an answer: &#x201c;Why is a man declared a danger to children 18 months ago allowed to live so near a school?&#x201d;

Their concerns are entirely justified.

Long&#x2019;s victims are equally as upset about the fact he has moved to a house less than half a mile from theirs.

This is a man who shattered their lives. Surely it is their right never to have to clap eyes on him again.

Upon their release from prison, sex offenders are risk-assessed and managed according with legislation and are considered under Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

These arrangements take into account a wealth of factors &#x2013; not least the impact of an offender&#x2019;s release on a community.

But on this occasion the outcome is unacceptable.

Clearly, Long has to live somewhere. But his current home is not the correct place.

The Daily Post has taken the decision not to publish Long&#x2019;s address for fear of him being targeted by vigilantes.

The police are far better placed monitoring Long and assessing the danger he poses than spending their time dealing with attacks on his home and protecting him from yobs.

But allowing Long to live at his present address is asking for trouble.